Tucked away in a narrow alley on the outskirts of the city, there is a modest hair and nail salon that occasionally welcomes locals looking to spruce up their appearance. The owner, Ms. Trần Thị Thùy Phương, is a hardworking and determined woman with an inspiring story of perseverance.
More than ten years ago, Phương was just a young girl from the countryside who moved to the city, carrying with her the dream of changing her life to support her family. With no qualifications or professional skills, she began by working as an unpaid assistant at a large hair salon. By day, she worked; by night, she practiced on mannequins and taught herself. Later, she learned nail art to increase her income.
After years of saving every little bit she could, she finally managed to put aside a small amount of money and opened a tiny hair and nail salon in her rented room. At first, there were few customers, but she didn’t give up. She remained diligent, continuously learning, running social media promotions, and treating every customer with care and respect to build her reputation.
With the support of the Hearts for Huế, she bravely took out a small credit loan to invest in new tools and hair curling machines to better serve women in the neighborhood. Thanks to her solid skills, reasonable prices, and cheerful, thoughtful service, her salon gradually attracted more and more clients.
Her business helped lift her family out of poverty. She now supports her two children’s education — the older one is in 12th grade, preparing for university entrance exams, while the younger is in 6th grade, well-behaved and understanding. Every morning, she wakes up early to prepare meals for her children, then works tirelessly from morning until late at night. Yet she never complains. To her, all the hardship is worth it as long as her children can have a proper education.
That little hair salon is more than just a livelihood — it is the realization of a dream born from adversity. Ms. Trần Thị Thùy Phương is a shining example of resilience and determination. Her story inspires many, proving that with enough willpower and a bit of financial support, even an ordinary apprentice can build a life to be proud of.
Hearts for Huế team.
